Friday Football Footnotes: Joe Burrow's advice for Minkah Fitzpatrick, praise for T.J. Watt; NFL moves Bills-Browns game

As the Steelers get ready for a rematch against the Bengals, “Friday Football Footnotes” features some scouting on T.J. Watt from Joe Burrow.

The Bengals QB also has advice for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Derrick Henry has tricks on “Thursday Night Football.” We study that venue change for the Browns and Bills.

And we preview the slate of local college games.

‘Honest’ advice

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was coming off a recent appendix surgery in the first game of the season against the Steelers. And he clearly wasn’t himself, as the Steelers won in overtime 23-20.

Burrow took seven sacks and threw four interceptions. One of them went for a touchdown, courtesy of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

MINKAH FOR SIX. #HereWeGo

: #PITvsCIN on CBS
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pHwdeoOMZE pic.twitter.com/wsUmMhqg8B

— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2022

Now it’s Fitzpatrick who is recovering from an appendectomy. He didn’t play during Sunday’s 20-10 win over the New Orleans Saints. He is practicing and trying to play Sunday in the rematch against the Bengals at Acrisure Stadium.

“We will find out Sunday,” Fitzpatrick said of his availability. “It’s something I have to take day to day, something I definitely don’t want to rush back from. We’ll see what Sunday looks like, how it feels.”

Burrow was asked this week if he had any helpful advice for Fitzpatrick.

“Maybe wait just another, extra week,” Burrow said.

Ah, that Joe Burrow. What a good guy. Clearly keeping his rival’s best interests in mind.

“Watt” to watch

Burrow’s analysis of Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt appeared to be more sincere. The Bengal QB went in depth on Watt’s skill set beyond just his pass rush skills.

“You’ve got to help on him with tight ends and running backs. And help by me getting the ball out quickly. But you can’t help on every play. Sometimes you just have to block him. That’s how the game is. He is one of the premiere guys in the league that takes time and effort to game plan against,” Burrow said via Bengals.com.

But Burrow added, sometimes just getting the ball out of his hands can backfire.

“He is probably the only guy in the league that you have to worry about when you do get the ball out quickly,” Burrow said. “Because he is really good at reading the quarterback’s drop through the tackles, and understanding when you are trying to throw the ball quickly. You saw, in the first game, he got an interception just by reading my feet and getting his hands up in the passing lanes.”

Ball hawk.@_TJWatt | #HereWeGo

: #PITvsCIN on CBS
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pHwdeoOMZE pic.twitter.com/GyAneCoW9q

— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2022

Watt has five interceptions and 73 sacks during his career.

Weather warning

The Cleveland Browns (3-6) are going to get away with having only eight true road games, when they were supposed to have nine.

That’s because their contest against the Buffalo Bills got moved out of Western New York and to a neutral location due to a threat of a massive snowstorm in the region this weekend.

The contest will now be played in Detroit Sunday afternoon.

The forecast is for between one to three feet of snow near Buffalo. The Bills will now play back-to-back games in Detroit. They’re scheduled to play the Lions on Thanksgiving.

According to the Associated Press, the league made the decision out of safety concerns and in consultation with the Bills and local and state officials.

The 6-3 Bills are listed at 7.5-point favorites following the venue change. The over/under is at 49.5 now that it is indoors.

Oh, Henry!

Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans beat the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. He ran for 87 yards and a touchdown, plus he had 45 more through receptions.

Henry also completed two passes, including one for a score to tight end Austin Hooper.

BIG MAN JUMP PASS! The @KingHenry_2 keeps on coming. #TENvsGB on Prime Video
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/BPNa9Cbtld pic.twitter.com/wsOVwcwt6W

— NFL (@NFL) November 18, 2022

Henry became the first running back since Walter Payton in 1983 to carry the ball 20 times, score a rushing touchdown, throw a touchdown and complete at least two passes.

Looking at the lines

On the local college football front Saturday, Pitt (6-4) is a 7.5-point favorite at home (noon) against Duke (7-3). I expect them to cover there.

At 3:30 p.m., No. 11 Penn State (8-2) is a 19-point road favorite at Rutgers (4-6). The Scarlet Knights stink. They’ve won once in conference all year. But I’ve had lots of luck taking the underdog with big spreads this year. So gimme the 19.

West Virginia (4-6) is a 7.5-point dog at home against 15th ranked Kansas State (7-3) at 2:00 pm. I expect WVU will keep this one close. Maybe buy the line down a point and go with Kansas State, or just take the Mountaineers and the points.

Meanwhile, Duquesne (3-7) closes out its season against Wagner (1-9) at home at noon. And Robert Morris (0-10) hunts for a win in its season finale at home against Bryant (3-7).